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But support is still higher than it was in April 2012, before mass shootings in Aurora, Colo., and in Newtown, where the murders occurred on Dec. 14. Then, only 39 percent wanted stricter gun laws.

Other polls have found stronger support for specific gun control measures, with more than 80 percent of Americans backing universal background checks and a majority supporting a ban on assault weapons.

The Senate is expected to consider gun control legislation when it returns from the Easter recess. The bill will contain a new gun trafficking law, universal background checks and mental health provisions. An assault weapons ban will be offered as an amendment.

The poll of 1,181 adults was conducted from March 20 to March 24. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.